It's a Puzzle: A 10-Day Devotional About... LifeSample

Day 6: When Puzzles Collide

Although it was entirely unintentional, there was a decade or so in my life when another “Scott Anderson” living not too far from me was messing with my puzzle.

When banks gave out small loans, I approached my neighborhood bank about borrowing money for a used vehicle. It didn’t look promising for me because... “Scott Anderson” showed up in the system as a person with a bad credit rating for defaulting on his loan payments.

When I tried to get my first semester grades in university, they wouldn’t provide them because... “Scott Anderson” hadn’t paid his tuition fees.

I moved out independently and had trouble installing a landline telephone because... “Scott Anderson” owed the local phone company several hundred dollars in outstanding bills.

During an annual routine check-up, while flipping through my file, my doctor stopped and looked perplexed as he read a sheet of paper and asked, “When did you have a heart attack?” (Huh???)

The best was when Denise and I were at the airport about to travel to the Caribbean. We made our way to the airline counter. After looking over our documents, the staff member serving us excused herself. After a few agonizing minutes, she returned with an awkward look and said, “I’m... sorry, sir... you’re on our no-fly list.”

Obviously, I did not want this guy working on my puzzle. I did not appreciate him mucking about with mine; I wanted to do it myself. Some of his life choices (albeit unbeknownst to him) were affecting my life, and not in a positive way!

In the book of Luke (chapter 15, verses 11-32), Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son. In case you aren’t familiar with the story, the younger of a man’s two sons asks his father for his inheritance before dad kicks the bucket (because why wait?). Dad agrees and divides his wealth between the two brothers (don’t miss this part). Youngest son blows it all; he’s gone so low he’s envious of what the pigs he’s feeding are eating. He returns home, humbled and ready to ask his father if he can be one of his servants. He tells his dad he’s not worthy to be considered his offspring. Dad forgives and throws a massive party, treating his son like a prince.

Enter older brother. He’s seething. He’s jealous. Resentful. Bitter. And why? Comparison.

“Comparison will either make you feel superior or inferior. Neither honors God.” (Craig Groeschel)

The older brother had everything his younger brother had. More, in fact, because he hadn’t recklessly wasted his share. Remember, their dad split all his wealth between the two brothers (Luke 15:12). What did Junior have that the older brother did not?

Nothing. But his perception was skewed. Comparison allowed his younger brother’s actions to influence his attitude. He thought Dad loved the younger brother more, but all the love he needed was there all along (Luke 15:31).

When someone affects your puzzle negatively, you can choose bitterness and everything that goes with it, or you can choose love and accept that you can do all things through Jesus, who gives you His strength (Philippians 4:13).

God’s unlimited love is waiting to be poured out into you. Stop comparing, and start being loved.